Suggestion to fight EPA cuts

Regarding “Trump EPA moves to roll back rules projected to save billions of dollars and thousands of lives” (Macomb Daily, June 5): Many of us decry the Trump rollbacks to more dangerous times. What can we, as citizens and consumers, do?

Everyday we eat foods we do not know are contaminated with tiny pieces of plastic and wash it down with our water, which may also contain microplastics. It’s estimated that each year the average person consumes 4000 or more microplastic particles from drinking water. The side effects can include cancers and poor health.

We have a tool; the Safe Drinking Water Act is the law that requires the EPA to act if governors request it. This is one place where we have the power to force action. Governors can file a petition which will force the administration to confront the problem of microplastics. We only need seven governors to request this, and the EPA must act. If not, Trump 2.0 loses another court case. Let Governor Whitmer know you support monitoring and the science behind clean water. Call her to be sure she knows it is important to us all in SE Michigan and beyond.

Budget turns backs on veterans

Budgets in America tell a story about what and who matters to us. The budget bill recently passed by House Republicans would slash 80,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs—limiting access to essential medical and mental health care for those who served. Since 25% of VA staff are veterans themselves, this bill not only cuts their care—it cuts veterans’ jobs. It also excludes their families from the expanded $2,500 Child Tax Credit.

The harm doesn’t end there. Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will hit veterans hard. Nearly 1.6 million veterans rely on Medicaid, including 10% of veterans in Michigan, and thousands more depend on SNAP to afford food while facing unemployment, low wages, or disabilities. Others use ACA coverage made possible by premium subsidies and are also at risk under this proposal.

This bill breaks the promises we’ve made to our veterans. It’s not fiscal responsibility—it’s a betrayal. If Rep. James truly supports veterans, he should vote no on this budget. While he received a taxpayer-funded education through West Point, this proposal threatens to cut or reduce GI Bill benefits for current and retired service members.

Rep. James must remember and honor his oath to the Constitution and to the country he pledged to serve. Our veterans deserve better than a budget that turns its back on them.